Update on Negotiations in K-12 Education in Ontario
Going Beyond the Limits Imposed by the Labour Relations Regime
A
serious issue facing Ontario teachers and education workers in the
ongoing negotiations in K-12 education is how the Ford government is
concentrating police powers in its hands. It demands that what it calls
negotiations take place within the confines of labour relations
but gives itself the right to dictate terms outside of the labour
relations regime using its legislative majority and prerogative powers.
When the workers recognize that they are deprived of
power within the labour relations regime and make their fight a
political fight which concerns the entire society, they win the support
of their colleagues, parents
and students. The government then tries to get them to give this up with
promises that if only the workers stay within the labour relations
regime they can make headway.
At this time, for example, the government is going after teachers and education workers' pay and benefits at the negotiating table where it is the negotiators on both sides and lawyers who are informed and able to speak. Those who must live under the conditions decided or imposed and the public which is directly affected by the outcome do not have a role or voice. The government deliberately attacks wages and benefits at the negotiating table in order to try and put teachers, especially, and their unions on the defensive based on a disinformation campaign that education is a cost, and teachers and education workers are a drain on the system rather than its most vital component.
What
is most important at this time is to not accept foregone conclusions or
pessimism but to pay attention to the actual conditions in K-12
education and what is required. This is a matter of concern to the
entire society, and includes the pay and benefits of those who provide
education. By keeping
teachers and education workers defensive about their wages and benefits
the government is hoping to keep them within the confines of the labour
relations regime where they hold the cards. However, when they can't get
the unions to accept what is unacceptable they will once again try to
use their
political power to dictate what must be accepted while keeping the
workers constrained.
By not permitting themselves to be constrained by the very regime
which does not restrain the government, the workers can make an advance,
involving everyone in the fight for the right to education which has
been shown to be where power lies.
(Photos: OSSTF District 9, Durham DECE)
This article was published in
Number 9 - December 23, 2022
Article Link:
https://cpcml.ca/RU2022/Articles/RU220091.HTM
Website: www.cpcml.ca Email: editor@cpcml.ca